Wolfgang Moritz Mattes

Wolfgang was born September 18, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Barbara (Winter) Mattes, his parents, Adolf and Mina (Schocker) Mattes, and granddaughter, Emily Ann Griffin.

Wolf is survived by his daughters, Erika (Mattes) Rebbe, Heidi (Jim) Mason, Brigitte (Kip) Cooper, and Inger (Matt) Griffin, 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Margaret (Winter) Davey, nephews-in-law Gerry Laramie, Alex Laramie, and nieces-in-law Dawn (Jim) Harrison and Taunya (David) Laforest.

Our dad was known to his family and friends as Dad, Ompa, Wolf, Papa Bear, or Wolfie, which is what mom affectionately called him. He spent his life caring for family, friends, animals, the environment and anyone needing a helping hand. After serving in the Korean War, dad studied forestry and park management at Michigan State, where he and our mom met on a blind date, and completed his degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, becoming a naturalist. Dad worked for the City of Detroit, first in the forestry department and then running the Nature Centers in Rouge Park and on Belle Isle. While running the nature centers, dad established a program that brought native animals into the city schools, educating and introducing these animals to school children who otherwise may not have been exposed to the wildlife around them. This was the "Nature Mobile". Wolfie spent his life educating people about the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife and the natural world around us.

If this weren't enough, dad worked as an usher at Olympia Stadium in Detroit and eventually became the permanent guard for the Red Wings dressing room and the bench guard. He was known by the players as "Wolfie on the bench".

Upon retiring in 1989, Papa and Momma Bear moved to Plattsburgh, N.Y. where they spent the next 30 years enjoying life on Lake Champlain and small town living. Of course our father could not sit still for long and became a volunteer fireman for Cumberland Head fire department. He was a first-responder for 9 years and trained in ice and swift-water rescue. Dad continued to take classes and train into his 80s. He and mom were active in Kiwanis and dad was an officer in Plattsburgh Elks Lodge 621. He helped mom organize fundraising events for the local Humane Society and Veterans, which kept him busy as well.

Dad and mom moved back to Michigan with their kitty, Rosie, in 2017.

Ompa's grandchildren will remember him as silly, fun Ompa with a unique vocabulary. He never could call something by its real name. Ears were o'pepels, a kiss was a schmutzle, and he was always advising them to "keep your nose clean and your wood on the ice". He took them to the fire station, fished and swam with them and kept up with their endless activities.

Dad was there for his daughters. He may not have fully understood us, but he was always ready to help us in any way. He attended ballet recitals, sporting events, and carted us to our activities. Dad drove a group of ballet dancers to Delaware to compete and he was made an honorary member of the company. We remember how every evening he set out his Raisin Bran, with a napkin over the bowl so the cats wouldn't eat the raisins, and then, the next morning, eating while chatting with the cats and dogs. We fell asleep in the evenings listening to the Red Wings' games my dd watched religiously. Dad was a federal wildlife rehab agent, so every spring our kitchen and dining room became a nursery for baby raccoons, opossum, squirrels, ducks, and the occasional skunk. In this way dad instilled in his daughters a deep respect for animals and an awareness of the natural world around us. Our family camped extensively, quite often with friends. Wolfie loved to dance and enjoyed music. He did most of the cooking, as long as he could grill it, and always grilled with a beer in his hand. Dad taught us the value of friendships, the importance of caring for others and a love for animals and travel. We carry many cherished memories close to our hearts. Our dad, Ompa, Poppa Bear, and Wolfie will be dearly missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HarryjWillLivonia.com for the Mattes family.